The artificial lighting which lines the world’s coastlines could be having a significant impact on species that rely on the moon and stars to find food, new research suggests.
Creatures such as the sand hopper(沙蚤) orientate(确定方位)their nightly migrations based on the moon’s position and brightness of the natural night sky. However, a study by Bangor University and the University of Plymouth shows the presence of artificial light originating from cities several kilometres away (also known as artificial sky glow) disrupts the lunar compass they use when covering long distances.
In some cases, this can lead to animals travelling towards the sea and away from food, while in others it reduces the chance of them venturing out for food at all. Writing in Current Biology, researchers say this could pose a distinct threat not just to the health of sand hopper populations but also the wider ecosystem, since they play an important role in breaking down and recycling algae washed up on coastlines.
Dr. Thomas Davies, Lecturer in Marine Conservation at the University of Plymouth (UK), said, “Artificial sky glow is the most geographically widespread form of light pollution. Surveys have shown it can currently be detected above 23% of the world’s coasts nightly, and with coastal human populations set to at least double by 2060, its effects are only going to increase. Our results show it is already having obvious impacts on biological processes that are guided by celestial(天上的)light signals.”
Through the study, researchers find increasing evidence that light pollution from coastal cities can influence marine species inhabiting nearby beaches, rocky shores and even the seafloor. These results highlight how pervasive(遍布的)city lighting could be in shaping the ecology of coastlines kilometres distant from their nearest urban centres. They also highlight the potential for artificial sky glow to impact other species that undergo migrations using the moon as a compass.
“While our understanding of the impacts of street lights on nature has improved dramatically, artificial sky glow has been largely overlooked. More work is urgently needed to fully understand the extent to which it is shaping the natural environment.” Dr. Thomas Davies added.
1.Which of the following could best replace “disrupts” in paragraph 2?
A.disturbs B.makes C.unites D.replaces
2.What is paragraph 3 mainly about?
A.The ways of creatures hunting food.
B.The causes of animals migrating at night.
C.The results of ecosystems being destroyed.
D.The influence of artificial light on creatures.
3.What have researchers found about light pollution?
A.It is the main pollution in cities.
B.It shapes the ecology of the ocean.
C.It has a great influence on surroundings.
D.It affects the migrations of sea creatures.
4.What does Dr. Thomas Davies think of the study of artificial sky glow?
A.It is useless. B.It is essential.
C.It is doubtful. D.It is challenging.
Race walking shares many fitness benefits with running, while most likely contributing to fewer injuries. It does, however, have its own problem.
Race walkers are conditioned athletes. The longest track and field event at the Summer Olympics is the 50-kilometer race walk, which is about five miles longer than the marathon. But the sport’s rules require that a race walker’s knees stay straight through most of the leg swing and one foot remain in contact with the ground at all times. However, it’s this strange form that makes race walking such an attractive activity.
Like running, race walking is physically demanding. According to most calculations, race walkers moving at a pace of six miles per hour would burn about 800 calories per hour, which is approximately twice as many as they would burn walking, although fewer than running, which would probably burn about 1,000 or more calories per hour.
However, race walking does not pound the body as much as running does. Runners hit the ground with as much as four times their body weight per step, while race walkers, who do not leave the ground, create only about 1.4 times their body weight with each step.
As a result, some of the injuries associated with running, such as runner’s knee, are uncommon among race walkers. But the sport’s strange form does place considerable stress on the ankles and hips, so people with a history of such injuries might want to be cautious in adopting the sport. In fact, anyone wishing to try race walking should probably first consult a coach or experienced racer to learn proper technique. It takes some practice.
1.What is the problem of race walking?
A.It most likely contributes to fewer injuries than running .
B.Race walkers have to obey certain rules while walking.
C.Just like running, race walking is mentally demanding.
D.Race walkers hit the ground with stronger force per step.
2.Which of the following usually burns more calories?
A.Race walking. B.Walking.
C.Running. D.Sleeping.
3.What can we infer from the passage?
A.Race walking is likely to cause knee injuries.
B.Race walking is fit for people with hip injuries.
C.Turning to experts before trying race walking is a good idea .
D.Practice more and you will surely benefit from race walking.
4.This passage is probably taken from __________.
A.a story book B.a textbook
C.a travel journal D.a sports magazine
"Keep your eyes open. This is where the Ewoks live.'' The one-hour drive outside of San Francisco, covered in clouds along windy roads, has inspired my husband to say this sentence at least a dozen times.
We finally arrive at Muir Woods National Park. I explain the strange green stuff on trunks of trees as we pass by--mos (苔藓), something my 5-year-old son Cole has never seen in the desert where we live.
"Mom, are Ewoks real? I think they maybe aren't real. " There's a question in Cole's voice,like he's trying on this idea.
We've been down the road of pretending versus reality before, what with all the talk of superheroes and such around our house. "I think you are right. Ewoks are just in the movies. But it would be cool if they were real, right ?"
Cole's silent for a while, thinking. "I just saw an Ewok’s ear back there!" Coles spotted an additional Ewok arm and one full body of the tiny hairy creatures. It does indeed look like we are in the Ewok forest of Star Wars.
Cole's imagination is more than I can understand. What do plants eat? Which is the best planet? Which rocks float? He loves life. He loves his inner world and outer existence equally.
I hear a lot of worry from parents about media sucking the souls from our children, taking away their time for creative play. For us, this hasn’t been the case. Cole and his brother are quite knowledgeable in the realities of life when it comes to Angry Birds, Curious George, and the adventures of Indiana Jones. These characters, and others of their own invention, live in my home like visitors, joining us on walks and outings. I appreciate them, though not all the time, for the company they give my sons and their busy minds.
I think of media characters as an add-on to already busy minds, by carefully monitoring who gets invited into our lives, they become part of the parenting team. They teach loyalty adventure, curiosity--lessons I'm trying to convey, but in a much cooler way than I can.
Pretence is awesome. It provides practice for real life without the ordinary interfering.
1.Where are the family heading for?
A.The cinema. B.A park. C.San Francisco. D.A desert.
2.What can we know about Cole from the passage?
A.He is proud of himself. B.He is full of curiosity.
C.He is courageous. D.He is considerate.
3.What do many parents think of their children playing via media?
A.It wastes children's time.
B.It can make their children relaxed.
C.It can engage their children in learning actively.
D.It can accompany their children in their absence.
4.What's the authors attitude to the media characters in parenting children?
A.Indifferent. B.Critical. C.Supportive. D.Disapproving.
Flies won’t transmit COVID-19
With the arrival of summer, many people are worried about contracting COVID-19 through mosquitoes or flies.
In response to the concern, Wang Liping, a researcher from the Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said there is not yet evidence of people getting infected with the novel coronavirus through a mosquito or fly. She made her remarks at a news conference on Saturday. She said the virus is mainly spread through respiratory droplets and physical contact.
Djokovic gets COVID-19
Novak Djokovic tested positive for the coronavirus on Tuesday after taking part in a tennis exhibition series he organized. His wife also tested positive.
Djokovic has been criticized for organizing the tournament and bringing in players from other countries during the coronavirus pandemic (全国或全球性流行病). Viktor Troicki said Tuesday he and his pregnant wife have both been diagnosed with the virus, while Grigor Dimitrov, another tennis player, said Sunday he tested positive.
Kids are more prepared against virus
Children may be protected from coronavirus because they catch so many colds, scientists have suggested. Figures from the Office for National Statistics suggest children are just as likely to pick up the virus, but few ever develop serious disease, or even show symptoms.
While adults pick up a cold around two to four times a year, school age children catch an average of 12 colds annually, studies have shown. It may allow youngsters to build up some ongoing resistance that adults do not have.
Special bonds are to be issued
China will issue 100 billion yuan in special government bonds for COVID-19 control measures to balance epidemic control with economic and social development, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) said Monday. The MOF will issue two kinds of bonds, including 50 billion yuan in five-year bonds and 50 billion yuan in seven-year bonds, the MOF said in a statement. Both will be traded on June 23, 2020. China will pursue a more proactive and impactful policy this year to release more funds for companies and individuals.
1.Who is less likely to get COVID-19 according to the passage?
A.Children. B.Adults. C.Males. D.Females.
2.Which of the following is true?
A.People will get infected with the novel coronavirus if they are bitten by mosquitoes or flies.
B.Novak Djokovic,Viktor Troicki, Grigor Dimitrov and their wives were all tested positive.
C.Children who often catch colds are more easily to be infected with the novel coronavirus.
D.China is actively taking measures to balance epidemic control with economic and social development.
3.What does the news have in common?
A.They tell us to keep away from mosquitoes or flies.
B.They tell us something about the novel coronavirus.
C.They advise us to ignore the virus and take more exercise.
D.They advise us to make full use of our savings to make money.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.What does the speaker introduce first about Liverpool?
A.The reputation.
B.The culture.
C.The business.
2.What kind of transport has been most important to Liverpool?
A.Rail transport.
B.Sea transport.
C.Road transport.
3.What is RMS Lusitania?
A.It is a famous pop group.
B.It is a top football club.
C.It is a well-known ship.
4.What has been the best-known export in Liverpool since the 1960s?
A.Music. B.Coal. C.Cotton.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What is the girl doing?
A.Looking for a missing friend.
B.Searching for a lost pet.
C.Helping the man make a poster.
2.Where was Charlie last seen according to the man?
A.At the park.
B.On the street.
C.In the girl’s yard.
3.What do we know about Charlie?
A.He is young.
B.He has poor eyesight.
C.He has brown eyes.
4.What is the relationship between the speakers?
A.They are strangers.
B.They are neighbors.
C.They are family members.
